Bee Gym

[mike99]

I have seen this on a few supplies websites:
https://www.simonthebeekeeper.co.uk/hive-care-feeding/10246-varroa-bee-gym.html

Does anyone know what they actually do and if they are any good?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I have seen this on a few supplies websites:
https://www.simonthebeekeeper.co.uk/hive-care-feeding/10246-varroa-bee-gym.html

Does anyone know what they actually do and if they are any good?

A handy tool to gull the gullible

They do nothing and they are very good at doing it

 

[bingevader]

As it says in the bumf!
It's like a cat scratching post.
Hygienic bees will use it to scratch on.
It's supposed to help with mite removal.
There are videos showing bees using it, so it's not a complete gimmick.
Have I got one? No.
Would I use it instead of other treatment (for varroa in particular)? No.
Have I got any of the other must have accessories that suppliers would like you to buy? No.

 

[mike99]

A handy tool to gull the gullible

They do nothing and they are very good at doing it

Thanks. I wasn't intending on getting one but I was just curious to see what people thought.

 

[Apiarisnt]

Alfred Watkins would have approved...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00218839.2016.1260388

"...given that we found no effect of the Bee Gym, we conclude that there is no evidence from this study of its efficacy as a management strategy for V. destructor."

 

[mike99]

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00218839.2016.1260388

"...given that we found no effect of the Bee Gym, we conclude that there is no evidence from this study of its efficacy as a management strategy for V. destructor."

Why am I not surprised?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Spotted this on Facebook

 

[Levitt53]

If I could work out how to upload a photo there is something very interesting been posted on Facebook about them.

 

[Erichalfbee]

If I could work out how to upload a photo there is something very interesting been posted on Facebook about them.

I’ve just posted the picture
The varroa on the inspection tray are circled in red. They are concentrated around the Gym

 

[Levitt53]

I’ve just posted the picture
The varroa on the inspection tray are circled in red. They are concentrated around the Gym

Ha ha didn't see that. How do you do it? I screenshot it but it asks for my pictures URL?!?!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Ha ha didn't see that. How do you do it? I screenshot it but it asks for my pictures URL?!?!

Press reply
Click on paper clip
Choose file

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

It seems we are almost getting as bad as the americans for finding any excuse to not bother addressing the varroa issue properly

 

[Murox]

It seems we are almost getting as bad as the americans for finding any excuse to not bother addressing the varroa issue properly

No. We are worse - we know the issues but choose to bury our heads in the sand.

 

[protheroe]

Treating 2/3 of my hives so far and all colonies have extremely low mite drops using thymol or oxalic vape.A few years ago all colonies were dropping large amounts but seem to get less each year and with two good summers I though the mite problem would be much worst.
Is anyone else noticing less mites in colonies

 

[pargyle]

I've got one ... I was one of the original testers ... I was sceptical but I noticed a concentration of dead mites on the inspection floor showing underneath where the bee gym was on the mesh floor. I would not rely on it solely for mite control but something happens -
Not sure what but the videos showing bees apparently scratching themselves on the tapes and wires on the gym could not be faked... interesting.

 

[For want of a better word]

I've got one ... I was one of the original testers ... I was sceptical but I noticed a concentration of dead mites on the inspection floor showing underneath where the bee gym was on the mesh floor. I would not rely on it solely for mite control but something happens -
Not sure what but the videos showing bees apparently scratching themselves on the tapes and wires on the gym could not be faked... interesting.

I have only ever seen on of these bits of plastic and wire in a colony.
The bees had shoved it towards the entrance, then propolised it to the side.

Perhaps all the pushing by the bees is to remove it from the hive... like any other bit of dross ???

Yeghes da

 

[pargyle]

I have only ever seen on of these bits of plastic and wire in a colony.
The bees had shoved it towards the entrance, then propolised it to the side.

Perhaps all the pushing by the bees is to remove it from the hive... like any other bit of dross ???

Yeghes da

I cannot believe that bee power alone would be sufficient to move a bee gym... the one I have has always stayed in exactly the same place as I left it on the mesh floor but you may be right that they may be trying to remove it and are not scratching themselves.. who knows ?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I’ve just posted the picture
The varroa on the inspection tray are circled in red. They are concentrated around the Gym

They're probably sat there laughing at it

 

[Millet]

Treating 2/3 of my hives so far and all colonies have extremely low mite drops using thymol or oxalic vape.A few years ago all colonies were dropping large amounts but seem to get less each year and with two good summers I though the mite problem would be much worst.
Is anyone else noticing less mites in colonies

I vaped all mine last week and to date it is the lowest mite drop I have seen..one hive had three mites and the hive with the most had sixteen..last year and previous years the mite drops where in the hundred and above..